first dibs on
idiom
US, informal
: choice of (something) before anyone else gets to pick
The farm always gives first dibs on its vegetables to local families.
Examples of first dibs on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While off to its strongest NFL season in 10 years, Fox likely wouldn’t mind taking a crack at a future Chiefs-Bills showdown … although CBS effectively has first dibs on the matchup.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Nov. 2025
As an alternative to repayment, Sheffield in 2022 led the creation of a package of city programmatic and discount offerings for those who were overtaxed, like half-off Detroit Land Bank Authority homes and first dibs on affordable housing.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Amazon’s October Prime Day is here, and Prime members get first dibs on thousands of exclusive deals.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
McDonough, who was White, outlined a priority system for enrollment, with families who already had children in the Catholic school system getting first dibs on those spots, followed by students transferring from other Catholic schools that were closing.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first dibs on
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Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Nov. 2025
As an alternative to repayment, Sheffield in 2022 led the creation of a package of city programmatic and discount offerings for those who were overtaxed, like half-off Detroit Land Bank Authority homes and first dibs on affordable housing.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Amazon’s October Prime Day is here, and Prime members get first dibs on thousands of exclusive deals.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
McDonough, who was White, outlined a priority system for enrollment, with families who already had children in the Catholic school system getting first dibs on those spots, followed by students transferring from other Catholic schools that were closing.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first dibs on
Cite this Entry
“First dibs on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20dibs%20on. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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